Group A winners Zambia take on Group B runners-up Sudan in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.
Renard calls for honourable performance; Abdallah ready for test
Group A winners Zambia take on Group B runners-up Sudan in the first Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.
Zambia enter the tie as firm favourites to progress after an impressive campaign so far, having beaten Senegal and Equatorial Guinea and drawn with Libya.
This compares favourably to Sudan's record of one win, against Burkina Faso, a draw with Angola and narrow loss to Ivory Coast.
Zambia coach Herve Renard is calling on his men to represent their country with honour.
"You just have to fight for the flag you represent and for the national colours you wear," said the Frenchman.
Renard's men desperately want to win the continental showpiece next week in Gabon in memory of the 1993 plane crash in Libreville which claimed 30 of their compatriots' lives.
"Imagine if we could lift the trophy there - it would be a fantastic way to honour the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the land they loved," added Renard.
Prepare
Zambia will look to skipper Christopher Katongo to continue his stirring form up front, with the China-based hitman netting two goals in the first round.
The Copper Bullets will, of course, be without Clifford Mulenga, who has been sent home for ill discipline.
Meanwhile, Sudan tactician Mohamed Abdallah expects a stern test from their opponents.
"Zambia are a fast, well-organised team which has achieved good results here and we must prepare tactically and physically for them," said the ex-national skipper.
Abdallah's little-known squad ply their club football exclusively in Sudan, with Mohamed Eltaib catching the eye with a brace against Burkina Faso in their final Group B encounter.
